Adjustable display-frame.



W. G. COSTLEY.

ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6, I917. v

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W5 mag... 5. (05.4% J n 7 ZZ/a W. G. COSTLEY.

ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6, 1911 Patented Sept. 3, 1918;

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. G. COSTLEY.

ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-6. I917- Patented Sept. 3, 1918 7, Wad/ W J I WILLIA G. cosrmy, or KENT, onfo.

ADJUSTABLE DISPLAY-FRAME.

Specification of Letters Ifatent.

Patented Sept. 3,19is.

Application filed August a, 1917. Serial No. 184,737.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that L'WILLIAM'G. "Cosamir, acitizen' of the United States, residing in the city of Kent, in the county of Portage and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Adjustable Display-Frames, of which the following a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive adjustable frame adapted to carryand display pictures or cards of various sizes. The frame is well adapted for displaying posters, photographs, and notices relating to motion plcture or theatrical productions. My display frame may conveniently be made of a suitable size for use in a theater lobby and carry one or more large posters with various smaller photographs or cards at either side thereof. The frame may conveniently be made in an easel form and may be proportioned-to take readily a number of existing standard sizes of photographs on either side, and, in the intermedlate portion, support larger pictures or posters of standard'size.

In producing a frame to comply with the above requirements I have provided an intermediate portion having fixed' vertical edges and top and bottom, and laterally adjustable side portions which telescope with the intermediate portion. In the intermediate portion and the side portions I may provide one or more horizontal separators which are adjustably positioned vertically. The separators on the side portions are telescoping to accommodate various widths of pietures. I provide also removable and adjustable vertical separators which may be used between anyof the horizontal separators. By this means I have roduced a frame which is adaptable for displaying at one time photographs, posters, cards, notices, etc., of-a great variety of sizes and all arranged in appropriate relation. The frame is very neat in appearance, is easily adjusted and is very durable An embodiment of my frame adapted for easel display in a theater lobby is illustrated in the drawings hereof and is hereinafter more fully explained. The essential characteristics of the invention, which are-not limited to the particular form or proportions shown, are summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of the display frame carrying an illustrative arrangement of pictures; Fig. 2 is a perspective of the frame from the rear; Fig. 3 1s a :rear elevation of a portion of the frame adacent to one edge; Flg. 4 is a verticalcross section, as indlcated by the line 4- -4 on Fig.

3; Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross section, as in-- (heated by the line 5-5 on Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a deta1l in rear elevation of one of the adustable dividing members for the frame; Flg. is an enlarged perspective of a portionpf the frame adjacent to the outer edge looking from the front; Fig. 8 is a perspective of the end portion of one of the telescoping dividing members used in the intermediate portion of the frame.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, A indicateswhat may be called the central panel of the frame, and B and C two side panels which are formed to telescope laterally with the central panel. The central panel is formed w1th a suitable back plate D, permanent vertical side members E and E, a top G and a bottom H. Each of the side members is formed with an outer vertical upright J, top and bottom members K and L which telescope into the central top G and bottom H respectively.

Atthe central panel between the vertical edge members E are suitable horizontal separators M which may be located in any intermediate position desired. 'P indicates horizontal separators for the side panels B- 'and C. These separators P. are adjustable to any position desired up and down and they telescope lengthwise of themselves. This enables the side panels to be shoved into the central panel or. drawn out from it.

Referring now more particularly to the means enabling the telescoping, it will be seen from Figs. 2, 3 and 4 that the top member G of the central panel is hollow, being made of a metal sheet bent to present a lower back portion 10 (secured tothe back plate D), a forwardly and downwardly inclined bottom portion 11, a flat front portion 12, a substantially horizontal top 13 and a back 7 portion 1a which is spaced from the back portion 10 to leave a horizontal slot between them. There is thus provided a flat openended slotted tube. The construction of the central bottom member H is the same except that the inclined portion faces upwardly and the horizontal edge 13 is at the bottom.

The arms K and L of the'side frame are also flattened tubular members. Thus, as shown in Fig. 4, the arm K has a vertical ortion 15, from the upper edge of which eads forwardly a downwardly inclined portion 16 and rising from the front edge of this a-vertical portion 17. At the top of the portion 17 is a horizontal portion 18 and at the rear end of this a downward vertical portion 19, the lower end of which abuts and may be secured to the junction of the parts 15 and 16. This arm is therefore a flattened tubular member with the flange 15 projectin from the inclined edge. The member is similarly formed except that 1t faces upwardly instead of downwardly.

The members K and L are of such size that they slide with reasonable snugness within the members G. and H. This makes a comparatively stiff frame and at the same timeallows the lateral extension of the side anel. It also enables the members K and ii to have substantially the appearance of continuations of the intermediate top and bottom members, as'shown in Fig. 1.

To limit the extension of the side panels, I provide the slots referred to in the rear of the top and bottom members G and H and provide pins 20 on the members K and L occupying these slots and limiting the out' ward movement of the side panels.

It will be seen from the above described construction that the side panels may be collapsed until the inner edges thereof substantially abut the outer edges of the central panel, or they may be drawn outwardly until the pins 20 abut the ends of the slots,

' as indicated at 21 in Fig. 3. The central panel has preferably a width about equal to twice that of the length of the arms K or L so that theends of such arms from the opposite side panels do not abut when the side panels are shoved in their innermost positions.

The telescoping horizontal separators P which are adapted to be positioned in the side panels will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. As shown in these figures, each of these separators P consists of two nesting troughshaped members, that is to say, a front member having a fiat portion 30, inwardly inclined top and bottom edges 31 and 32, and flanges 33 and 34 which extend vertically parallel with .the front 30 from the rear edges of the inclined portions 31 and 32. Theother member 35 of this telescoping separator has a corresponding front portion 36, inclined top and bottom portions 37 and 38 and flanges 39 and 40. 9 These two members thus have a dove-tailed engagement with each other, allowing their telescoping while the two members act together as one stiif separating member whether collapsed or extended.

Secured to the rear face of the two members 30 and 36 are a pair of upright stri's 45 and 46. These strips may be readi y soldered or otherwise secured to the flanges 33 and 34 in the case of the strip 45 and 39 and 40 in the case of the strip 46. lilach of the strips has secured to it rearwardly extending knobs 50 and 51. The shanks of these knobs are adapted to occupy vertical slots in the upright members E and J of the center and side panels. By this means the ends of the telescoping separators are secured to the two uprights, but may shift up and down therein, while the telescoping of the separator on itself does not in the least interfere with the sliding of the side panel in or out from the center panel.

The slots which the knobs 50 and 51 occupyare made in the forward wall of tubular members R carried at the outer edge of the rear of the central portion and tubular members S carried at the inner edge of the rear of with the main portion at 61, and then forwardly at 62, then inwardly at 63 parallel with the main portion D and overlapping the front thereof, and then outwardly at 64, then parallel with the main portion at 65 to provide the front of the upright edge member E and then from the inner edge of this member diagonally inwardly at 66 and then parallel with the front side of the back plate D at 67. This latter portion is a flange which may be secured directly to'the back plate. This construction provides the hollow upright frame bar E and the tubular guide R. The shanks of the knobs 51 occupy vertical slots 68 in the front face 63 of the tubular guide R.

The tubular guide S may, in a similar manner, be made an integral portion of the edge member J As shown in Fig. 5 this integral structure is made of sheet metal bent as follows: A straight portion 70, then an inclined portion 71 from the forward edge of which leads the front part 72 to the member J, then a rearwardly extending portion 73, then a back portion 74 parallel with the portion 70, then a rearwardly extending portion\75, then a back portion 76, then a forwardly extending portion 77, then a front part 78 which alines the portion and leaves a slot 79 between them. The overlapping parts 70 and 74 may conveniently be soldered together. The construction pro-S vides a stifl' tubular bar S having a vertical slot 79 which may be occupied by the shanks of the. knobs 50.

It will be seen from the construction described that the two vertical tubular guides R'and S may be integral ortions of the cor-' ployed to hold the separators in whatever vertical position they are given. We find it convenient for example, to secure leafsprings 80 and 81 to the rear face of the flanges 39 and 34 of this telescoping sepa-' rator.

These leaf springs are adapted to bear against the rear faces of the tubular bars R and S. When the separator is put in place from above, these leaf springs pass behind the bars R and S and bear against them with force to hold the separator in any adjusted position.

It will be seen from the construction de scribed that I may have as many of these separators P as desired in either side panel; that they may occupy any position 'up or down as desired; that they do not interfere with the sliding of the side panel in or out,

but follow it one way or the other. The inclined top and bottom of'the separators, the inclined edges of the bars E and J and the inclined edges of the top and bottom members K and L provide a set of rectangular spaces, each bounded by four overhanging edges. This enables any suitable card or picture to be put into such space and effectively held therein. The drawings, for instance, show several cards or pictures T occupying these spaces. 7

The central panel has the flat back D and the overhanging verticaledges E and the overhanging top and bottom G and H. This panel may therefore readily take one large poster sprung into place or otherwise secured with its edges behind the overhanging portions of the edge'bars. However, it is desirable frequently to provide several smaller posters or cards in this central space,

as indicated by the cards U in Figs. 1 and 3. v

I provide for this by means of a separator M. These separators are preferably hollow tubular metal members of the form shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 8. As there shown, each member M has an intermediate front portion 90 from the top and bottom edges of which extend inwardly inclined portions 91 and 92 from the rear edges of. which extend vslide through the fitting 108 vertical flan es 93 and 94. Secured to the inner face 0 the intermediate portion 90 of these separators and projecting beyond the ends thereof are leaf-springs 95 which are preferably curved somewhat forwardly. These separators areput in place first in a somewhat inclined position so that their overhanging springs may.readily pass'bebind the members E, then they are turned which are suitably sprung into place between the adjacent s'eparator members or between separator members and the top of the frame and the bottom of the frame as the case may be. These vertical separators. may thus be located at the central panel or in either of the side panels, as desired. I have indicated one of them in broken lines at Q in Fig. 3, which shows this vertical separator in rear elevation between the two horizontal separators M. The vertical separator is put in place somewhat diagonal with its end springs underhanging the overhanging portlons of the separators M and then the vertical separator is trued up into position.

My adjustable frame may, if desired, hang on a wall, or it may stand on the floor as an easel, such being the frame shown in the drawings. When it is desired to use it as an easel, the central panel preferablyhas.

-two short legs V, while the lower ends of the vertical side members J areextended downwardly and provided with casters W. This enables the side members to be readily slid in and out while the. central portion remains stationary.'

Any suitable means may be provided for supporting the back of the easel. Fig. 2, shows a tubular construction for this purpose .made largely of gas piping and usual fittings as follows: 100, 101 and 102 indicate three gas pipes connected in an approximately U-shaped frame and hinged to the upper portion of the back D by straps 103. 104 is a cross pipe from the legs 101 and 102, this cross pipe being swiveled in fittings A suitable set-screw 115 carried by the fitting 108 cramps the brace 109 in any position and thus holds the supporting member at the desired angle to the frame. The loosening of the set-screw allows the brace to thus enabling the legs to swing into parallelism with the frame, the brace then depending substantially vertically through the fittin 108.

It will be seen from the above escription that my frame may be comparatively cheaply constructed and that-it may be readily made of sheet metal bentby usual machinery into the form shown. If desired, some of the parts may be replaced by Wood or other material, but I have found sheet metal to operate very satisfactorily. I have found that by oxidizing the metal or covering it with an aluminum paint, the members which telescope into the others are not marred by contact with their fellows. However, if desired, a sheet of fabric or other anti-friction material may be laced on the inner face of the larger mem er of the telescoping connection and thus preserve the member which draws out from undue rubbing.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In an adjustable frame, the combination of an intermediate panel having two upright edge members, a top member and a bottom member, and. two side panels each provided with one edge member, a top memher and a bottom member, the top and bottom members on the side panels being slidably connected with the intermediate panel.

2. In an adjustable frame, the combination of a panel having an edge member, an adjustable panel having relatively fixed top, bottom and outer edge members, said panel being slidably connected with the panel first mentioned, and a longitudinally extensible separator for the adjustable panel extending from the edge member first mentioned to the edge member of the adjustable panel.

3. In an adjustable frame, the combination of two picture carrying panels, means whereby one is adjustable laterally as a whole with reference to the other, and a longitudinally extensible separator carried bythe adjustable panel and dividing it into a plurality of picture carrying spaces.

'4. In an ad ustable display frame, the combination, with an intermediate panel, of two side panels telescoping into the intermediate panel, and telescoping separators for the side panels.

5. In an adjustable display frame, the combination, with an intermediate panel, of two side panels adjustable bodily toward and from the intermediate panel, and an adjustably positioned separator for the intermediate panel.

6. In an adjustable display frame, the combination, with an intermediate panel, of two side panels telescoping into the intermediate panel, telescoping separators for the side panels, and adjustably positioned separators for the intermediate panel.

selves, said separators being adjustably carried by the telescoping panels.

8. In a frame, the combination of a fixed panel having hollow end members, adjust able panels on opposite sides thereof havin end members sliding into the hollow fixe members, and movable separators for said panels.

9. In an adjustable frame, the combination of a central panel having supporting legs and side panels adjustable laterally with reference to the central panel and each provided with a supporting wheel.

10. The combination of. a central panel having hollow top and bottom members, side panels having top and bottom members extending into the hollow top and bottom of the central member, legs supporting the central members and means supporting the side members, and telescoping horizontal separators for the side members.

11. The combination of a fixed panel having upright edge members and hollow top and bottom members, adjustable side panels having upright edge members and top and bottom members sliding into and out of the hollow members of the central panel, and telescoping separators carried between the edge members of the central panel and the edge members of the sidepanels.

12. The combination of a panel having upright edge members and hollow top and bottom members, adjustable side panels having upright edge members-and top and bottom members sliding into and out of the hollow members of the central panel, and telescoping separators carried between the edge members of the central panel andv the edge members of the side panels, said separators being adjustable bodily up and down and held in a given position by friction.

13. In a frame, the combination of an intermediate panel having edge members overhanging laterally in two directions and a pair of side panels adjustable in and out with reference to the intermediate panel, and having edge members overhanging on their inner edges.

- 14. In a frame, the combination of an in termediate panel having vertical edge members overhanging laterally in two directions, side panels adjustable in and out with reference to the intermediate panel and having vertical edge members overhanging on their inner edges, and horizontal separators for the panels held by the overhang of the vertical edge members.

15. The combination of an intermediate panel having an upright edge member and i a hollow top bottom, and a pair of side bers'ofthe panel first mentioned, said intermediate panel. andedge panelseach having a tubular vertical slotted bar adjacent to its edge, and telescoping separators for the side panel having means occupying the slots of Said bars. V

16. In a display frame, the combination of a panel havinga tubular bar with a slot in it, a side panel also having a tubular bar with a slot in it, a telescoping separator for the side panel having means adapted to' occupy said slots, and a leaf spring secured to the telescoping'separator. and adapted to bear against the rear face of-one of the tubular bars.

17. The combination in a display frame of a panel having edge members which overhang, and a separator provided with projecting leaf springs at its ends which are adapted to engage the edge members. I 18. In a display frame, the combination of a back for the frame, a tubular edge bar,

" and a tubular slotted guide all made of one integral pieceofmetal bent on itself, anda behind the overhang of separator having retaining means adapted 80 to occupy the. slot.

" 19. In a frame, thecombination of a back made of metal and vertical edge bars formed by bending the-metal on itself to make hollow tubular members in, front of 85 the back, said tubular members overhanging towardeach other, and an adjustably positioned separator having its ends held behind the overhang of the tubularmembers."

f 20. In an adjustable frame, the combina- 40 tion of an intermediate panel, side panels telescoping into the intermediate panel, and a support for the frame pivoted to the back of the intermediate panel, and means for holding said support .at an angle to the frame. 1

21. In a display frame',- the combination .of a central panel, side panels adapted to. telescopetherewith, a rear support for the central panel, the central panel being' pro vided with'supporting legs and each of the side panels having their outer edge members extended downwardly and provided with wheels.v

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature. e

' e. oo'sTLEY. 

